Our Stories
“Getting cancer changes you,” Amber said.
“You lose some of yourself, but you also find a new you.”
No two patients have the same cancer experience, but one thing they all have in common is hope. Read these inspirational Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin patient stories as they share their first symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
I love my local
cancer care team!
Emily | Early Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer
In March of 2024, the 30-year-old mom had been breastfeeding her baby Waverly when she found a mass. Emily knew the lump could have been caused by a blocked milk duct, but she had an uneasy feeling she just couldn’t shake…
View Emily's Story
I get advanced care,
close to home.
Mike | Multiple Myeloma
In the spring of 2018, Mike was working out and thought he had pulled a muscle in his back. Later, as he was walking, he took an awkward step. Something didn’t feel right. Mike went to physical therapy and quickly realized his pain wasn’t muscle related…
View Mike's Story
I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else.
Linda | Stage 4 Lung Cancer
When Linda was in her late 60s, she had hip bursitis which made it hard for her to get on the floor to play with her grandchildren. “There’s nothing better than being a grandparent,” Linda beamed… “
View Linda's Story
Avoiding the city
means a lot to me.
Stephen | Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma
Stephen started experiencing pain behind his left shoulder blade. Between his farm work and his lawn care job, he thought it must be related to work. “I would take an ibuprofen once a day,” he said. “But the pain kept lingering…
View Stephen's Story
I get world-class care,
close to home.
Robin | Stage 4 Rectal Cancer
Robin has always been a caregiver. She raised three children, took care of her grandmother as she aged and, as a disability benefit specialist for Pierce County, Robin has devoted her career to caring for the physical and emotional needs of people who need support…
View Robin's Story
All my specialists are
in one place!
Mike | HPV Throat Cancer
When Mike went in to see his primary care physician for an annual physical in 2020, he was feeling proud of himself. “The last time I had been in, my doctor told me that I needed to lose weight. This time, I was going in 18 pounds lighter…
View Mike's Story
My baby and I
needed expert care.
Amber | Stage 3 Breast Cancer
When Amber and her husband, Clint, found out they were pregnant with their second child in October 2022, they were so excited. Their son had just started kindergarten, and the couple was thrilled about growing their family…
View Amber's Story
It’s big city care,
a few miles from home.
Jerry | Stage 3 Lung Cancer
In February 2020, while Jerry and his wife were visiting friends in Phoenix, Jerry developed a nasty cough. It lasted for about a week, and then it stopped, so Jerry thought it must have been a cold or bronchitis…
View Jerry's Story